A gamma-glutamyl transferase or GGT test helps to calculate the amount of GGT present in the blood. Simply, a GGT is an enzyme present that is all over your body, but it is generally found in the liver. When your liver is damaged, GGT might leak into your bloodstream. Higher levels of GGT present in your blood denote liver disease or damage to bile ducts. Bile ducts are the tubes that contain bile fluid formed by your liver and necessary for digestion.
A GGT test won’t diagnose a specific cause of liver disease. It should be done with or after liver function tests or alkaline phosphatase or ALP test. So, ALP is another kind of liver enzyme that can be used for diagnosing bone disorders and liver disease.
A GGT test is generally used to:
You might require a GGT test if you have symptoms of liver disease. Some symptoms are the following:
You might need this test when you have unusual results on an ALP test or other liver function tests.
The healthcare professional will take a blood sample from a vein into your arm with a small needle. Once the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood is collected into the vial or test tube. You might feel little sting.
You do not require any special preparation for a GGT test.
There is little risk involved with a blood test. You might have slight bruising or pain where the needle was inserted but this should soon resolve.
If the results show higher than normal levels of GGT, liver damage might be suspected which can be due to:
The results cannot point to the condition you have but it may identify liver damage. The higher the level of GGT, the more the damage to the liver.
When the results indicate normal or lower levels of GGT, liver disease is not present.
The results might be compared with that of an ALP test. With the help of ALP tests, bone diseases are diagnosed and the results will indicate:
If you have any questions about the test results, then it is suggested that you talk to a health care provider about it.
Select the test that you would like to undergo
Go to the Harley Street clinic for your blood draw and pay for your test in person
As soon as the results are ready, the will be sent to you by your chosen method